The national treasurer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Chinyelu Okoli, has raised the alarm over the country’s educational system, saying it faces imminent collapse.
Okoli stated this at a press conference for the launch of her pet project entitled “Campaign for the restoration of educational system, peace, and security,” in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
“We are calling on all students and educational actors to identify the challenges they are facing in their various departments and sectors to enable us to find lasting solutions to them,” she said.
Identifying education as a passport to opportunities that should be made a fundamental right of the citizens, she regretted that it is facing myriad of problems.
“The essence of public schools is for its affordability, but in recent times, the reverse has been the case,” lamented the student of Abia State University, Uturu.
She said it is unfortunate that the current economic situation in the country, especially among the low-income earners has reached a stage where many are out of school due to financial incapacity.
The treasurer, who expressed worry that over the years the sector’s national budgetary allocation has remained below the UN recommended 26 percent blamed it for the deficits and challenges in the sector.
She described as unfortunate instances in some schools, where the lecturers are owed up to 34 months’ salary arrears “which has led to industrial action and disruption of academic calendar.”
Okoli, therefore, argued that a country without value for education is a threat to its future, adding that they will not fold their arms or relent in their advocacy, until normalcy is restored in the sector.
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